So You Wanna be a Witch?
(Or Would You Really Rather be Something Else?)
The main reason that British Traditional Witches (BTW's) are having less and less
to do with the general Pagan community is that we have less and less in common
with them.
One of the hallmarks of BTW is discipline; one of the hallmarks of neoPaganism is
rejection of discipline.
BTW is a group of somewhat-related esoteric initiatory priest(ess)hoods;
neoPaganism has apparently become the catchall label for any do-it-yourself non-
Christian celebratory 'religion' -- including a good number who call themselves Pagans
but are totally oblivious to the "Nature" side of what's billed as a Nature religion.
BTW's hold that one must have received Initiation into a valid tradition to call oneself
a Witch or Wicca; neoPaganism hold that anybody who wants to call themselves a Witch
or Wicca is one.
BTW studies require work, for which the student is accountable to the teacher;
neoPagans seem to feel that this is an imposition bordering on oppression.
BTW requires members to be a 'proper person' -- one whom we can trust absolutely to keep faith with the Gods, with
coven-members, and with the Tradition; neoPaganism requires absolute acceptance at face value of any and all who
present themselves as fellow-Pagans even if they're obviously dysfunctional or downright rotten.
A seeker of BTW must find a BTW teacher, no way around it. Pending that, you should:
Dana Corby Senior High Priestess, Mohsian Tradition
~ Used with permission by the author.
(Or Would You Really Rather be Something Else?)
The main reason that British Traditional Witches (BTW's) are having less and less
to do with the general Pagan community is that we have less and less in common
with them.
One of the hallmarks of BTW is discipline; one of the hallmarks of neoPaganism is
rejection of discipline.
BTW is a group of somewhat-related esoteric initiatory priest(ess)hoods;
neoPaganism has apparently become the catchall label for any do-it-yourself non-
Christian celebratory 'religion' -- including a good number who call themselves Pagans
but are totally oblivious to the "Nature" side of what's billed as a Nature religion.
BTW's hold that one must have received Initiation into a valid tradition to call oneself
a Witch or Wicca; neoPaganism hold that anybody who wants to call themselves a Witch
or Wicca is one.
BTW studies require work, for which the student is accountable to the teacher;
neoPagans seem to feel that this is an imposition bordering on oppression.
BTW requires members to be a 'proper person' -- one whom we can trust absolutely to keep faith with the Gods, with
coven-members, and with the Tradition; neoPaganism requires absolute acceptance at face value of any and all who
present themselves as fellow-Pagans even if they're obviously dysfunctional or downright rotten.
A seeker of BTW must find a BTW teacher, no way around it. Pending that, you should:
- Meditate daily. If you don't know how, there are lots of books out there from which you can learn.
- If needed, embark on a program to gain mental clarity, be it formal therapy or pop psychology books, whatever
works. I require all students to read Maslow's "Religion, Values and Peak Experience."
- Get reasonably physically fit. If you have a handicap, work around it.
- Learn as much as possible about your local ecosystems and begin making life-changes to lessen your impact, even
if it's just recycling your trash.
- Read at least one book each on the major sciences, including geometry, physics, astronomy, paleontology,
archeology, geology, chemistry & oceanography.
- Read at least one book each on Qabbalah, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, Theosophy, Lebensreform, mystical
physical culture, Zen, Druidry, Yoga philosophy, alchemy and an overview of divination systems from which you
pick one that appeals to you and get good at it.
- Begin marking the Full Moons and Sabbats, solitary if need be, with the understanding that you are not practicing
techniques (those will change when you find a teacher), you are establishing energy currents and re-patterning your
life.
- Last, and least important, find websites and e-lists that advertise themselves as BTW, especially the ones that
feature banners saying things like "Keep Traditional Witchcraft Traditional" and "Witchcraft Does Not Cost
Money." Download their recommended reading lists, and start in on them, too.
Dana Corby Senior High Priestess, Mohsian Tradition
~ Used with permission by the author.
